Henson difficult to manage, admits Toulon president

(AP)

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has admitted that the suspended Welsh international Gavin Henson has been "difficult to manage".

Henson is serving a week-long sanction, imposed by the club following an incident in a nightclub, with Boudjellal due to announce a final decision on the player's future on Monday.

The incident followed Henson's second appearance for Toulon after his controversial move from Saracens in February and his chances of being offered a permanent deal could be irreparably damaged by this episode. It could also have a bearing on his chances of making the Wales squad for this autumn's World Cup in New Zealand. He has not played for Wales for two years but there had been suggestions he was set for a return to the squad this summer – provided his stay in Toulon went well.

Boudjellal insists the 29-year-old will be granted a fair hearing but concedes he has had problems with a player who has courted controversy throughout his career. He said: "Henson has had an attitude which has been difficult to manage.

"This week I have tried to find out what happened because I have to make a decision which is the most objective possible. I think I know now what happened, so I will make decisions on Monday.

"We are not here to back him into a corner. He is a boy who makes mistakes sometimes. He's not the only one in rugby. There are others. But at Toulon, as Jonny Wilkinson says, it's 24/7 here."

Boudjellal added that it was a shame because of Henson's talent. He said: "It's a disappointment because he's a great player. I'm sure he would have had a good match on Saturday [against Perpignan]. You can tell that he's a great player. He's a cut above and makes me think of Sonny Bill Williams. But sometimes [players like them] hit rock bottom."